When and What time to play?

• For unknown reason, a round of golf in Bangkok always approach 5 hours. Be patient, it is hot and humid.
• Saturday and Sunday mornings are the busiest time for golfing in Bangkok, where a twosome is almost impossible. The weekend afternoons remain busy but a time slot is highly probable.
• For weekend plays, advance reservation is highly recommended.
• Weekday golf is popular among the locals and gets busy from about noon to 1 p.m.
• A five-some is a common custom in a lot of the golf courses in Thailand. Some courses enforce a four-some on a weekend morning but do allow a five-some after 11.00 a.m.

Tipping

• Tipping is a culture in Thailand. However, on a golf course, only a caddie expects it, while locker-room attendant and bag-drop staff anticipate it.
  For a caddie, 200 to 250 baht would be highly appreciated. For a locker-room attendant and bag-drop staff, 20 to 50 baht is typical.

Caddie

• Some caddies are very knowledgeable about the course they work such as the aims and putting lines. However, many are just as clueless as you are.
• Don’t ask your caddie to be a safe keeper or put your wallet in the golf bag. Keep your valuable in your pocket.
• It is quite usual to have two caddies per person in Thailand. The extra caddy is customary for umbrella, golf chair, and drink.

Weather

• Best weather to play golf in Bangkok is from November to January, especially early in the morning where some cool breeze can be expected. Day time temperature during these months is quite pleasant and tolerable by
• Bangkok’s standards.
• March to May is sizzling hot, while raining season begins in June and ends around October.
• In general, Bangkok is either hot or wet.
• Just about every golf course in Thailand has a kiosk stop every 3 to 4 holes for drinks and snacks.
• Bring a towel with you to the golf course. You can also rent an umbrella at the club house on a hot day.

Golf Cart

• Every golf course has its own golf cart rules. Some will not even allow golf cart with the slightest threat of rain in sight.
• Most of the golf courses do not have enough golf carts for everybody but the early birds are never disappointed. Some allow reservation, and some do not. The common practice is one cart per person.
  

Call-Hole on a Par-3

• Most golf courses in Bangkok have a custom of “call-hole” on par threes. This practice is usually enforced when it is a crowded and a slow day on a course.
• The proper manner on this custom is to allow the group ahead to all be on the green, then they will step aside of the green and usually put up a putter signaling you to t-off.
• No rush, take your time and hit your shot. Then you can be expected to approach and wait aside the green while the group ahead is finishing up.
• So don’t be puzzle on a par-3 when the caddie ushers you to t-off with a crowd on a greenside.
• Beware, on such a day, the group behind will also expect you to honor this custom.
  

Miscellaneous

• Most golf courses are not very far from Bangkok. The 90-mins pick-up time prior to T-off takes into consideration of traffic condition and allows sufficient time for you to get ready at the golf course.
• On a weekend in many courses, the t-off spots will be shorten up quite a bit to speed up the game up, and , the professional t-off spot is allowed only if you have a recognized professional card.